Remotely activated connection device for a spiral shoulder connection

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a remotely activated connecting device for connecting a wellhead and or Christmas tree positioned on a wellhead to a fracing tree that may comprise a collet system for selectively engaging and disengaging from a threaded, spiral, and or flange shoulder that may utilize hydraulics for same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/697,670, filed on Jul. 13, 2018, which iscurrently pending. This application is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/216,288, filed on Dec. 11, 2018,currently pending, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/607,519, filed on Dec. 19, 2017. Thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/918,509, filed on Mar. 12, 2018, currently pending, whichclaims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/471,015, filed on Mar. 14, 2017. The entire content of each of theabove-referenced applications is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to a device, system, andmethod for remotely connecting to a threaded profile member. Moreparticularly, the present invention provides for remotely connectingsuch as but not limited to a service tool package to a Christmas treeutilizing a spiral shoulder such as but not limited to an Acme thread.It is also contemplated to provide a remotely actuated connector forhydraulic fracturing that may feature a remote blind connection, nightcap, and or plug. Furthermore, it is contemplated to provide a funneldown connector that may be utilized on wells via an on-site crane withwells that do not have a connector.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The ability to make a mechanical connection between two members has hadmany varied methods including tying them together with ropes, a threadedconnection, welding, gluing, friction, and a collet type connection. Ofthese, the collet type is the most amenable to being remotely connected.The collet type generally means that one of the members collapses orexpands to engage the other member. Collet type connectors can begenerally divided into two categories, straight diameter and shouldered.Straight diameter collets are used in numerous applications such asmachine tools to engage round work pieces, as chucks for pencil lead,and collapsible pressure fittings around tubing.

Shouldered collets are generally used in application requiring both ahigh axial load between the two connected members and repeatedconnections and disconnections. The torus type connector shown in U.S.Pat. No. 6,609,734 is an example of this type of connector, which is forconnecting a subsea blowout preventer stack to a subsea wellhead. Itmust be done repeatedly remotely and as they are typically 18¾″bore×10,000 P.S.I. working pressure units, the axial loading is inexcess of three million pounds. On these units, the collets or lockingsegments (61) are pushed radially onto shoulders or hubs 10, 11, and 51.The mating surfaces such as 53 are typically on a twenty-five degreeangle and are conical in shape. The conical shapes on both the hubs andthe collets or locking segments provide a large area of contact towithstand the high axial loadings.

Similar connectors such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,096,999 have thedogs 34 driven inwardly by the conical inner surface 28 a of ring 28such that when an outward force on tapered shoulders 36 and 38 isgenerated on the dogs 34 by the centerline tensioning caused by borepressure, the ring 28 is urged in the unintended released position. U.S.Pat. No. 4,516,795 compensates for this by substituting a torus drivershoe R for the conical inner surface, allowing the potential releasingforces to be cancelled. This patent moves to a force balanced positionand travels a little further such that the forces tend to lock it moreagainst a shoulder, or functionally locking it over center much like atypical light switch does.

Another type of situation exists on land wellheads where the upperconnection of the valves atop the wellhead or the Christmas treetypically has an Acme thread for connection. The Acme thread profile isa relatively rugged thread construction and the most common profile usedis four threads per inch. When the two members are brought together, thenut member of the tree cap is simply manually screwed onto the malethreaded tree cap.

This procedure has long required the direct intervention of a personwhen landing heavy equipment loads of service equipment, such as ablowout preventer stack and a coiled tubing unit, onto the top of aChristmas tree for servicing. The coiled tubing unit is a tractor typemechanism, which will lower a string of coiled tubing coming from a reelinto the well. This assembly can easily weigh 20,000 lbs.

This procedure has been complicated by the addition of landing largeassemblies of valves called fracking trees onto the top of the Christmastree, and then landing the other service equipment onto the top of thefracking trees. At this time, the need for the remote connection can bemore than twenty feet into the air. To further complicate this, the areaaround the Christmas tree can be a restricted area due to the nature ofthe fracking operations on adjacent Christmas trees.

Thus, there is a need for an apparatus, process, and or system thatprovides quick and reliable means for securing equipment such as but notlimited to a service tool package to a Christmas tree previouslyattached to a wellhead. The above discussed limitations in the prior artis not exhaustive. The current invention provides an inexpensive, timesaving, more reliable apparatus, method and system where the prior artfails.

Furthermore, it is understood that fracturing operations, also referredto as fracing or fracking, are in need of quick connection duringrepetitive operations. Fracturing operations involve sending aperforating device down hole to create holes in a specific zone. Thewireline BOP must be removed after perforating each zone. It isdesirable to provide a seal or plug referred to as a “night cap” to thetop of the frac tree on the top of the well when the wireline BOP is notconnected. Due to the high pressure fluid being pumped to perform theoperations, there are obvious safety concerns. The night caps canprovide a redundant pressure containing device in place while frackingthe well. Current night caps are manually connected. It is not unusualfor this process to be performed 30 to 50 times in a single well and 100to 300 times per well pad. There is a need to provide a fast and safeconnection during this repetitive process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofconventional connections now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new and improved apparatus, system, and method ofuse that provides faster and safe performance. As such, the generalpurpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequentlyin greater detail, is to provide a new and improved hydraulic connectorfor use with a wellhead and or Christmas tree previously attached to awellhead, which has all the advantages of the prior art devices and noneof the disadvantages.

It is, therefore, contemplated that the present invention is anapparatus, system, and method of connecting a connecting member to athreaded profile member, comprising one or more segments with a femalethreaded profile, holding said segments out of engagement from saidthreaded profile member while engaging said connecting member with saidthreaded profile member, releasing said one or more segments to allowengagement with said threaded profile member, moving said one or moresegments axially of said threaded profile member to allow the threads ofsaid segments to engage the threads of said threaded profile member,causing said threads of said segments to engage said threads of saidthreaded profile member, securing said segments in the engaged positionand so forth.

It is also contemplated to provide a sealing means for frackingoperations wherein the top of the connecter may have a seal and or plugattached. It is also contemplated that the connector may not have afully bored out annulus and or through port thereby forming a seal afterthe connection is made. It is contemplated to use one of our remoteconnectors to pick up and move another remote connector without athrough port for creating a night cap. The invention may provide anautomatic and remote blind connection. It may also include a remote balldrop, bore pressure monitoring, and or a control interlock for pressure.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in this application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily beutilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods andsystems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as includingsuch equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially theengineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patentor legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursoryinspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of theapplication. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention ofthe application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended tobe limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved remotely activated connector apparatus, system, and method foruse with a wellhead and or Christmas tree previously installed on awellhead to other equipment such as but not limited to a fracking tree.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved remotely activated connector apparatus, system, and method,which provides shouldered collets that collapses to engage a threadedmember and expands to disengage the threaded member by use of but notlimited to hydraulic pressure allowing for remote connecting anddisengaging thereby eliminating a worker from manually doing same andmaking these operations much safer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedremotely activated connector, which may provide a hands free connectionwithout requiring orientation of the members being connected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved remotely activated connector apparatus, system, and method,which is of a durable and reliable construction and may be utilized innumerous types of wellhead applications and or Christmas treeapplications.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved remotely activated connector apparatus, system, and method,which is susceptible to a low cost of installation and labor, whichaccordingly is then susceptible to low prices of sale to the consumingindustry, thereby making such a system economically available to thosein the field.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved remotely activated connector, which provides all of theadvantages of the prior art while simultaneously overcoming some of thedisadvantages normally associated therewith.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved remotely activated connector apparatus, system, and method,which may include a seal, plug, night cap, and so forth that may beutilized in fracking operations where it is desirable to have anautomatic and remote blind connection.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved remotely activated connector apparatus, system, and method,which may provide a funnel down approach and or a funnel downattachment, which may reduce the need of connectors being provided onthe wellheads in a pad with multiple wells.

These, together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty, which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, ANDAPPENDICES

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings and appendices.

FIG. 1 is generally a side view of a Christmas tree in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 2 is generally a side view of a service tool package being landedon the Christmas tree of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 3 is generally a half cross section of the connector in theunlocked position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 3A is generally an enlarged portion of FIG. 3 showing the threadprofile engagement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 4 is generally a half cross section of the connector in thepartially locked position in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe current invention.

FIG. 4A is generally an enlarged portion of FIG. 4 showing the threadprofile engagement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 5 is generally a half cross section of the connector in the lockedposition in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the currentinvention.

FIG. 5A is generally an enlarged portion of FIG. 5 showing the threadprofile engagement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thecurrent invention.

FIG. 6 is generally a perspective view of a tang body portion of aconnector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the currentinvention.

FIG. 7 is generally a perspective view of a group of segment dogs inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 8 is generally an exploded view of the main component of theconnector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the currentinvention.

FIG. 9A is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 9B is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 9C is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 9D is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 10A is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 10B is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 10C is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 10D is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing the steps of an operationand or method.

FIG. 11 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention.

FIG. 12A is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing a cross section in theunlocked position.

FIG. 12B is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing a cross section in thelocked position.

FIG. 13 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention depicting a control panel and orskid.

FIG. 14 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention with a remotely activated balldrop.

FIG. 15 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing a cross section.

FIG. 16 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention with a guard box.

FIG. 17 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention without a guard box of theembodiment in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention without a guard box of theembodiment in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention depicting an indicator positionsystem.

FIG. 20 is generally an illustration of another preferred embodiment inaccordance with the current invention showing a cross section with anon-threaded profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring to the illustrations, drawings, and pictures, and to FIGS. 1and 2 in particular, reference character 1 generally designates a newand improved hydraulically activated connector in accordance with thepresent invention. Invention 1 is generally used in oil and gas welloperations and may be utilized in other operations not associated withoil and gas operations.

For purposes of convenience, the reference numeral 1 may generally beutilized for the indication of the invention, portion of the invention,preferred embodiments of the invention and so on. It is also to beunderstood that invention 1 should not be considered limited to just a“remotely activated connection device for a spiral shoulder connection”and the term should not be considered to limit the invention to such.

Referring now to FIG. 1, Christmas tree 10 is shown above a surface 12,which can be land or the deck of a platform. Wellhead 14 suspends thecasing (cemented pipe) within an oil or gas well, tubing spool 16suspends the tubing (removable pipe) within the well, master valves 18and 20, which are the primary safety control, tee 22, which provides aproduction outlet, a swab valve 24 to open the well for servicing, amale profile and or top sub 26, tree cap 28 as the connection at thetop, and wing valve 30 to open production flow into pipeline 32. A man34 is shown for an illustration of the general size of the components.

Referring now to FIG. 2, service tool package 50 is shown being landedon Christmas tree 10. It is understood that service tool package may beof numerous types and but not limited to a wireline BOP. Tree cap 28 hasbeen removed from male profile and or tree cap 28 top sub 26, leaving amale thread 56 exposed for engaging. Connecting member and or connector58 is at the bottom of the service tool package 50 and utilizes thefeatures of this invention to engage the male thread 56 of top sub 26.Blowout preventers 60, 62 and 64, safety slips 66 for emergency stop ofcoiled tubing 74, coiled tubing 74 injector head 68, multi-roller sheave70, crane lifting line 72, and the coiled tubing 74 are shown.Multi-line control umbilical 76 is shown with lines 78 and 80 connectingto various components. Line 78 serves to lock connector 58 and line 80serves to unlock connector 58 remotely.

The FIGS. 1 and 2 spacing between the Christmas trees 10 is illustriousof the actual spacing of Christmas trees such that when multipleChristmas trees are being serviced different operations will requirerepeated moving of the service tool package 50 between the Christmastrees 10 by the crane lifting line 72. Additionally, the size of theservice components is understood by the comparison to the size of theman 34. Blowout preventers 60, 62, and 64 are shown for illustration,however, a fracking tree several times the size of the blowoutpreventers and strippers generally smaller than the blowout preventersmay also be required. Logging may also be required in which a tallchamber holding logging tools may need to be landed on the top of theblowout preventers to do downhole logging or analysis of the formations.Clearly, there is a need for a remote connection at the top of theChristmas tree rather than having a person climb up to make up athreaded connection or remove it repeatedly to make up a flangedconnection.

Referring now to FIG. 3, connecting member and or connector 58 is shownhaving dog segments 100 with threads 102 ready to engage the threads 56of top sub 26. It is understood that other connections may utilize othertypes of male female connectors and or profiles on dog segments 100 suchas groove and or grooves 101 depicted to be mated with flange and orflanges 103 in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B.

Dog segments 100 are sitting on inclined shoulder 104 of window 106 ofmain body 108. The angle of the inclined shoulder 104 is slightlygreater than the angle of the threads 56, as will be discussed later.Pin 110 is extended by spring 112 to or near to surface 114 in window106 of body 108 to keep the segments 100 adjacent to inclined shoulder104 until pushed out of position. Garter springs 115 and 116 urgethreads 102 on dog segments 100 into engagement with threads 56 on topsub 26, but movement of dog segments 100 is presently retrained by tangportion 118. Body 108 also has a funnel down and or funnel downattachment 120 at its lower end to assist in guiding the connector 58into engagement with top sub 26.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, and enlarged view of the thread profileposition at this time is shown.

Referring now to FIG. 4, flow and pressure have been introduced throughline 78 to start moving piston 150 up and it takes tang body 152 and itstang portion 118. As this happens, dog segments 100 are free to be movedinwardly by garter springs 115 and 116 and threads 102 engage threads56. As there is no orientation between the threads 102 and 56, there isa low chance that the threads may engage perfectly, but it is highlylikely they will not. As Acme threads have a large flat area on the top,they are most likely to simply land flat on flat. The one thing you donot want to happen is for the threads 102 to move in radially andpartially engage threads 56. In order to prevent this the angle ofinclined shoulder 104 is slightly more than the angle of the side of theAcme thread so that if engagement starts, it will be completeengagement. Acme threads have a fourteen and one half degree side angle,so the angle of the inclined shoulder 104 would be about sixteendegrees.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, and enlarged view of the thread profileposition at this time is shown, illustrating the one and one half degreedifference.

Dog segment 100 provides dual outside tapers, shallow tapers 154 and 156and steeper tapers 158 and 160. As the piston 150 moves to thisposition, the shallow tapers 154 and 156 are not engaged, but rather thesteeper tapers 158 and 160 are engaged by mating shoulders 162 and 164.These angles are at approximately forty-five degrees and so are aslikely to push the dog segments 100 upwardly as inwardly. As piston 150continues to move upwardly, the threads 102 will slide on the top of thethreads 56 until they are properly engaged and then the combination ofthe garter springs 115 and 116 and steeper tapers 158 and 160 will movethreads 102 into full engagement with threads 56.

Referring now to FIG. 5, piston 150 has continued to travel up untilshallow tapers 154 and 156 are engaged by shallow tapers 170 and 172tending to friction lock the piston 150 in position. In this movement asdog segment 100 has been moved up, spring 112 has been compressed by theupward movement of piston 150. Springs 174 and plungers 176 are extendedagainst shoulder 178 of piston 150 with enough spring load to preventthe piston 150 from falling back to disengage the dog segments 100 fromthe threads 56. When pressure in introduced into line 80, the largerpiston area of shoulder 180 when compared to the piston area of shoulder178 will insure the unlocking and overriding of the springs 174 torelease the connector.

Interface 182 between main body 108 and tree cap 28 top sub 26 is sealedby seal 184 such that when pressure is introduced into bore 186 an axialseparation force is imposed on main body 108 and tree cap 28 top sub 26,which is resisted by male thread 56, threads 102, and inclined shoulder104. With a conventional Acme thread application with its fourteen andone half degree angles, an outward force is generated towards piston 150tending to drive it to the unintended release position. With the angleof the inclined shoulder 104 being greater than the engagement angle onthe Acme threads (as seen in FIG. 4A), the net force direction istowards the centerline of the parts rather than outward or away from thecenterline. This achieves the desired “lock over center” characteristicof the connector.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, an enlarged view of the thread profileposition at this time is shown.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of tang body 152 showing thetang portions 118 is shown.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a ring of dog segments 190 is shown as a groupof eight dog segments 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a perspective exploded view of the connector 58is shown with outer body 200, tang body 152, main body 108, dog segments100, piston 150, gland 202, and top sub 26.

It is also understood that the spring load said one or more segmentsmoves towards the engaged position; that the reverse angle may allowfull engagement when engagement starts; may include lock over centercharacteristic; may be hydraulic, mechanical, and or air pressure;threads may be Acme, V, and or generic; may include a remote and ormanual activation.

Another Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to the figures and more in particular to FIGS. 9A-9D,10A-10D, 11, 12A and 12B, invention 1 may include blind connector and ornight cap 250 that may be connector 58 having a seal 300. It isunderstood that connector 58 may or may not have a through port,completely drilled annulus, plug inserted, a cap attached, and so forthto create seal and or plug 300 at the top of connector 58.

This may allow invention 1 to be utilized in fracking operations, wherethere is a need for a quick connection during repetitive operations.Associated with repeating perforating and the associated moving of theservice tool package 50 such as a wireline BOP. It is desirable toprovide seal and or plug 300 which provides a blind connector and ornight cap 250 to the top of the frack tree on the top of the well whenthe wireline BOP is not connected.

As generally depicted, well one 255 and may have connector 58 withwireline bop service tool package 50 above (not depicted) and well two260 may have night cap 250. Through steps 9A through 10D, well one 255now has the night cap 250 and well two 260 has the wireline bop servicetool package 50 and all remotely done without an individual having tomanually unscrew/screw and disconnect/connect.

Funnel Down Attachment and or Approach

Invention 1 further contemplates funnel down attachment 120 to connector58 and or blind connector 250. Funnel down attachment 120 may be but isnot limited to being made of metal and bolted to connector 58 and orblind connector 250. It is understood that funnel down attachment 120may be made from other materials and attached in various methods. It isalso understood that funnel down attachment 120 may be incorporated intoconnector 58 and or blind connector 250.

Funnel down attachment 120 may essentially provide a guide forpositioning while attaching equipment to the well. In the prior art, itis known to provide a “funnel up” approach which requires all wells onthe well pad to include a connector. The current invention 1 “funneldown” approach moves the connector 58 and or blind connector 250 fromwellhead to wellhead with the on-site crane and removes the need foreach wellhead to include a connector. This will allow only one connectorrequired on-site in some instances. This may provide a savings in costand or time where a well site may include numerous wells on the one pad.

Ball Drop

Now referring to FIG. 14, it is still further contemplated to provide aball drop system 265 that may comprise a one or more ball 270, remotelyoperated drop cylinder 275, a remote control 280, and so forth. It isknown in some well operations such as but not limited to frackingoperations, that ball 270 may be required to be dropped in the wellhead14 at every stage and or during an operation. A means to drop the ball270 remotely is desirable. Blind connector 250 and or connector 58 mayinclude ball drop system 265 that allows the connector 58 and or blindconnector 250 to be removed, moved slightly, and inserting ball dropsystem for the release of one or more ball 270, then reattachingconnector 58 and or blind connector 250.

Sensors and Indicators

Invention 1 may include visual indicators 285 as shown generally in FIG.12A and which may be dropped downward generally out of view when top sub26 enters into connector 58 dogs segments 100 drop into position asdepicted in FIG. 12B.

Now referring to FIGS. 15 through 20, in another preferred embodiment,connector 58 may have a port hole and or aperture 290 for locating endof the port hole where the bore pressure reading is taken insideconnector 58 and or blind connector 250 with pressure transducer 295,seen on FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. The invention may include a bore pressuresystem 296 that may allow monitoring of the bore pressure and may bedisplayed and used to prevent disconnecting the connector 58 and orblind connector 250 if bore pressure is present.

FIG. 15 generally illustrates a full cross sectional view of the with aprofile version of three flanges and associated grooves. The top 304 ofthe connector 58 may be an API 6A standard top connection (9-4 ACMEthread) and top 305 of top sub 26 has the profile cross section on top,with a standard API top connector sealing surface and a standard APIflange on a bottom 310.

Connector 58 may include a mechanical lock indicator 315 may have a puck320 and sleeve 325 wherein puck 320 and sleeve 325 may hide and orprotect lock indicator 315 when the system is unlocked. The depiction isin the locked position, though unpressurized as the dog segments 100 andwellhead 14 are not touching yet. Invention 1 is designed to be modular,so that dog segments 100 and adapters can easily be changed out todifferent dogs that may have different profiles. The depiction is ofthree section profile 330 to correspond with profile on top sub 26.

FIG. 16 generally depicts a connector 58 with a guard box 335. It isunderstood that some of the elements described are potentially damagedby operations and it may be desirable to cover certain elements. FIG.17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 generally show what would be beneath guard box335.

FIG. 19 generally depicts lock indicator 315 position system 340 whichmay include two proximity switches 345, one of the two for redundancy,tell whether indicator 315 is down and thus the system is locked. Twoproximity switches 345 will be set such that indicator 315 will be belowthe two proximity switches 345. Two proximity switches 350, one of thetwo for redundancy, tell if indicator 315 is up and thus the systemunlocked. Two proximity switches 350 will be set such that indicator 315will be approximately level or higher with top 355 of indicator 315.

Indicator 315 position system 340 and bore pressure system 296 may beelectrical and draw from box 360 and be powered by umbilical 365 whichconnects to transmit the information to the control skid 370 (FIG. 13).

Air hose line 375 and 380 are the air hoses to control the actuation ofconnector 58 and may be two quick disconnect connectors, ordered suchthat the lines 375 and 380 cannot be confused and plugged in to wrongports 385 and 390 respectively, insuring a “lock” command will actuallylock the system and not unlock it. The may also utilize umbilical 365 tocommunicate with control skid 370. Umbilical 365 may be clamped to guard335 to prevent forces on the connections themselves, and can be routedup through the top of the guard box 335 to allow bundling with thelubricator, BOP, or other cables (for the connector on the crane) ordown through the bottom for the ones used as night caps 250.

Referring to FIG. 13, invention 1 may be utilized with multipleconnector 58 and or night cap 250 at the same time. The currentembodiment shows four, but it is understood that more or less may beutilized. Activation switches 395 may activate the system to open lockand unlock connector 58 and or night cap 250, have a corresponding borepressure read out 400, and corresponding visual indicator 405 forshowing corresponding lock or unlocked. Corresponding bore pressure readout 400 will indicate if the system may be unlocked if the pressure isbelow a set level and will show and or prevent unlocking if the pressureis too high. Control skid 370 may have a manual on/off switch 410 andsystem air pressure gauge display 415.

It is also contemplated to provide a control interlock for blindconnector 250 and or connector 58. This may include a pressure sensingdevice with interlocks to prevent inadvertent or on purpose actuationcausing a release of the connector if bore pressure is present.

It is therefore contemplated that the current invention 1 may be amethod of connecting a connecting member to a male profile member,comprising: providing at least two segments with a female profile;holding said at least two segments out of engagement from said maleprofile member while engaging said connecting member with said maleprofile member; releasing said at least two segments to allow engagementwith said male profile member; moving said at least two segments axiallyof said male profile member to allow said female profile of said atleast two segments to engage said male profile member; causing saidthreads of said at least two segments to engage said male profilemember; and securing said at least two segments in the engaged positionthereby connecting said connecting member to said male profile member tocreate a seal, and wherein said female profile of said at least twosegments and said male profile member are threaded and adapted to mateto create a seal, wherein said female profile of said at least twosegments has at least one groove and said male profile member at leastone flange wherein said at least one groove and said at least one flangeare adapted to mate to create a seal.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. Changes may be made in the combinations, operations,and arrangements of the various parts and elements described hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Furthermore, names, titles, headings and general division of theaforementioned are provided for convenience and therefore, should not beconsidered limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. The method of connecting a connecting member to amale profile member, comprising: providing at least two segments with afemale profile; holding said at least two segments out of engagementfrom said male profile member while engaging said connecting member withsaid male profile member; releasing said at least two segments to allowengagement with said male profile member; moving said at least twosegments axially of said male profile member to allow said femaleprofile of said at least two segments to engage said male profilemember; causing said threads of said at least two segments to engagesaid male profile member; and securing said at least two segments in theengaged position thereby connecting said connecting member to said maleprofile member to create a seal.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidfemale profile of said at least two segments and said male profilemember are threaded and adapted to mate to create a seal.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein said female profile of said at least two segments hasat least one groove and said male profile member at least one flangewherein said at least one groove and said at least one flange areadapted to mate to create a seal.